Is there a standard issue SMG for any branch of the military (lets say Marines) other than in the special forces and such? Or is the sub-machine gun outdated.

The SMG is only used by special forces becuase of its suppression capability. Its not very practical for the regular front-line soldier. The M16 holds more rounds in each clip (not sure of the exact numbers), and is probably more accurate and has a greater range of effectivness. Some Force Recon might use it for a night mission where there is little support and stealth is key. Even then, the SMG would be a last ditch answer.

Airplane and helicopter pilots carry them don't they.

The US military has no set SMG but the one we do use is the MP5.

I think with the advent of extensive urban warfare, the submachine *could* make a comeback but what is more likely is assault rifle designs will start to favor the submachine gun characteristics.
The reason why armies don't use them much is because the assault rifle has done a good job of doing the jobs that submachine guns did in the old armies.

MP's could use smgs when it's not a very dangerous situation, but nowadays a rifle can do whatever a smg was designed to do. Maybe we'll equip them because they're cheaper and smaller, but not for your average GI joe.

MP5's dont even shoot through doors...
and M4's, Tavors etc are small and light now anyways, all being able to carry supressors

Check your ballistics, rocco. A 9mm will penetrate most doors and some walls. The rounds carried by most SF units, when used for CQB, are sub-sonic rounds. These do NOT have the penetration power of the standard ball 9mm. As for the rest, the M4 has become the de facto weapon of choice for most ground operators

Talking of SMGs... which forces use the ES C90?

Ah the Australian Navy Clearance Divers carry the Australian F1 Sub Machine gun as standard (along with the M4 and Mosberg shotgun).


It still gets used because it is so simple and light. It is basically a sten gun, just with a solid stock and top mount magazine. You pretty much fill it full of sand, mud, glue, water etc and it'll keep on firing. It's also fairly accurate and can easily be changed over to have a silnced barrel assembly.